Overview
- The Polícia Federal asked the Supreme Tribunal Federal to open a third inquiry into Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, on Monday, adding to two existing investigations authorized last week.
- The earlier inquiries, authorized by Minister André Mendonça, probe possible influence-peddling and corruption linked to Dataprev and contacts with actors seeking contracts at the Ministry of Health.
- Investigators say evidence shows a relationship between Lulinha and businessman Antônio Camilo Antunes, including a Europe trip reportedly paid for by Antunes at the end of 2024, prompting a separate line of inquiry.
- Lulinha’s defense denies wrongdoing, calls the probes politically motivated 'pesca probatória', says he lives in Madrid and is willing to return to Brazil to testify, and plans to meet the justice minister to discuss the cases.
- The STF has not yet assigned a relator for the new request, and the next steps could include distribution to a justice, formal authorizations for searches or summonses, and heightened political scrutiny during the presidential re-election year.